Door knob won't "catch"
#1
06-24-09, 07:35 PM
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: PA
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Door knob won't "catch"
I recently replaced a few door knobs on a few interior doors. Some of the replacements work fine but others that used to "catch" don't now. For a reason I can't fathom, the bolt no longer fits into the hole in the strike plate.
I replaced the knobs, bolt and stike plate. How do I fix this? Should I make the hole bigger and move the stirke plate? How would I determine if I should make the hole higher or lower or further out?
I appreciate any help!!
I replaced the knobs, bolt and stike plate. How do I fix this? Should I make the hole bigger and move the stirke plate? How would I determine if I should make the hole higher or lower or further out?
I appreciate any help!!
#2
06-25-09, 04:55 AM
Welcome to the forums! Sometimes it is as simple as driving a 3" screw into one of the hinge holes on the top hinge. That is if the strike is below the plate. You didn't say.
#3
06-25-09, 05:33 AM
Group Moderator
The height of the latch is easy to figure out... just close the door and observe where the latch is when it gets to the strike plate, and put a light pencil line on the strike plate above and below the latch. Then open the door and observe whether the latch is centered on the strike plate opening or not.
I would assume that the latch just isn't going back far enough into the hole, and it isn't dropping into the hole- as if you would need to push harder on the door to get it to close. Since the door stop is preventing it from going back far enough, you might either try removing and relocating the latch side door stop, or removing the strike plate, filling the old holes with wood and wood glue (golf tees work well!) and move the strike plate over just a little bit. Since moving the strike plate would involve filling nail holes and it would leave an ugly mortise edge exposed, I'd suggest moving the door stop as your first plan of attack.
I would assume that the latch just isn't going back far enough into the hole, and it isn't dropping into the hole- as if you would need to push harder on the door to get it to close. Since the door stop is preventing it from going back far enough, you might either try removing and relocating the latch side door stop, or removing the strike plate, filling the old holes with wood and wood glue (golf tees work well!) and move the strike plate over just a little bit. Since moving the strike plate would involve filling nail holes and it would leave an ugly mortise edge exposed, I'd suggest moving the door stop as your first plan of attack.
#4
06-25-09, 07:23 AM
Join Date: Jun 2009
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chandler: I believe one of the latches hits below the strike plate. Over time the door has become misaligned with the frame in that the spacing at the time is uneven. If I use the
3" screw on the top hinge, should I adjust the bottom hinge in any way? Thank you for your response!
XSleeper: Thank you for your help. I had considered moving the door stop but it seemed beyond me. Being the novice I am, could you explain to me how I could remove the door stop w/o damaging it?
Thanks again for your help!
3" screw on the top hinge, should I adjust the bottom hinge in any way? Thank you for your response!
XSleeper: Thank you for your help. I had considered moving the door stop but it seemed beyond me. Being the novice I am, could you explain to me how I could remove the door stop w/o damaging it?
Thanks again for your help!
